Frankfurt has no shortage of people with an affinity for music and a desire to party: on these sunny spring days, thousands of people are drawn to the streets and squares, parks and outdoor cafés, the banks of the Main, and the Old Town. People like to go out in the financial metropolis. In fact, they like it so much that the residents of Sachsenhausen, a district with a high level of gastronomy, which the local media have long since lovingly declared an „entertainment district“, are now rebelling.

As is so often the case when popular nightlife districts are also sought-after residential neighbourhoods, the interests of the two target groups are constantly clashing. And no matter how the city and authorities react to create a balance between nightlife and peace and quiet, this will do little to change the demand for parties, alcohol, music and good humour. Otherwise, the caravan will simply move on. After all, there are plenty of exciting event ideas – and the money for them too. Or are there?

Lost in the shadows of the typical big city loud-versus-quiet conflict, it's easy to overlook the fact that the money isn't quite right. Recently, more and more organisers of popular events have been giving up – without being replaced.

When the „Green Sauce Festival“ kicked off last weekend at the Roßmarkt in Frankfurt city centre, it marked the start of the 18th edition of the popular gastronomic and cultural event – and the last. Until 24 May, dozens of restaurateurs compete to prepare Frankfurt's best green sauce – accompanied by an extensive comedy, music and show programme. After that, the green sauce is over. Rising costs for staff, technology, logistics and security, coupled with falling income from tickets and sponsors, have forced the organisers to capitulate. This is just one of many examples in Frankfurt, the Rhine-Main region, and the whole of Hesse.

In the – to put it generously – neighbouring city Mannheim, for example, the „Maifeld-Derby“, which was recently voted the „Best Small Festival“ in Europe, has been hit. The three day open air music festival, which has earned a good reputation in the rock and pop scene over the past 14 years with its carefully curated programme, kicks off there for the last time on 30 May. The Mannheim event organisers are also financially running out of steam, even though the festival is sold out.

The numerous local springtime and street festivals, fairs and cultural festivals that have given up hardly even make it into the headlines. While huge spectacles such as „Rock am Ring“ or the „Wacken Open Air“ sell out their tickets at record speed, the organisers of smaller, local events aimed at cultural niches are struggling to survive in many places and despite funding.

Yet it is precisely this diversity of cultures and flavours that is at least as important in making a region desirable as the prospect of a good night's sleep.